CN111494031A

CN111494031A - Electropneumatic dredging device for surgical instruments

Info

Publication number: CN111494031A
Application number: CN201911376412.4A
Authority: CN
Inventors: J·马格诺
Original assignee: Agimar In Name Of American Surgical Technology Olympus
Current assignee: Agimar In Name Of American Surgical Technology Olympus; Gyrus ACMI Inc
Priority date: 2019-01-25
Filing date: 2019-12-27
Publication date: 2020-08-07
Also published as: JP2020116386A; EP3685867A1; US10987195B2; US20200237973A1

Abstract

The invention provides an electro-pneumatic deoccluding device for a surgical instrument. A medical device includes a first valve and a second valve. The first valve includes a manifold having a first opening, a second opening, and a third opening, and an element movable within the manifold and biased by a spring to close the first opening. When biased to close the first opening, air flows from the second opening to the third opening. The second valve is configured to provide a flow of pressurized gas to the first valve to move the element to close the third opening. The first and second valves are configured to interrupt the flow of air from the second opening to the third opening and allow the flow of pressurized gas to exit the second opening when the element is moved to close the third opening.

Description

Electropneumatic dredging device for surgical instruments

Technical Field

The exemplary and non-limiting embodiments described herein relate generally to apparatus and methods relating to clearing obstructions from surgical instruments during surgical procedures. The exemplary and non-limiting embodiments described herein relate more particularly to a compressed gas operated valve that facilitates cleaning of an aspiration line during use of a tissue debridement instrument.

Background

Debridement involves the removal of damaged tissue from a wound in a controlled surgical manner to promote wound healing. Types of debridement techniques currently in use include surgical instrument debridement, autolytic debridement, chemical debridement, mechanical debridement, and biological debridement. Surgical instrument debridement techniques employ surgical instrument devices, hereinafter referred to as "debriders," which are used by surgeons to remove necrotic, infected, or otherwise damaged tissue from healthy tissue. These debriders may be simple blade instruments such as curettes or scalpels. More complex debriders may include ports and associated tubing in the blades to supply fluid for wound irrigation and/or suction during debridement in order to carry debrided tissue away from the wound.

When a large amount of tissue is suctioned, debriders equipped with a suction function are often clogged by the debrided tissue. Older debriders typically require the use of a stylet to clear the obstruction. Newer debriders typically include an in-line valve that operates by squeezing a pressure ball to sweep the obstruction back through the blade. These in-pipe mechanisms are commonly referred to as "deoccluders".

Disclosure of Invention

According to one aspect, a medical device includes a first valve and a second valve. The first valve includes a manifold having a first opening, a second opening, and a third opening, and an element movable within the manifold and biased by a spring to close the first opening. When biased to close the first opening, air flows from the second opening to the third opening. The second valve is configured to provide a flow of pressurized gas to the first valve to move the element to close the third opening. The first and second valves are configured to interrupt the flow of air from the second opening to the third opening and allow the flow of pressurized gas to exit the second opening when the element is moved to close the third opening.

According to another aspect, a medical system comprises: a first valve configured to allow a first flow of air to be generated in a first direction and to selectively allow a second flow of gas to be generated in a second direction; a console including a second valve operatively connected to the first valve and configured to provide a second flow of gas in a second direction; and a surgical instrument operably connected to the first valve and having a cutting assembly from which the first flow of air is received, the surgical instrument configured to receive the second flow of gas in a second direction. The first and second valves are configured to allow a second flow of gas to be generated in a second direction during operation of the surgical instrument to clear obstructions from a cutting assembly of the surgical instrument.

According to another aspect, a medical system comprises: a first valve having a first connection port, a second connection port, and a third connection port, wherein the second connection port and the third connection port are configured to allow a flow of air to be generated by suction in a first direction; a console having a second valve operatively connected to the first connection port, a pressure regulator connected to the second valve, and a gas source connected to the pressure regulator, wherein the console is configured to allow a flow of gas from the gas source through the first connection port to the second connection port in a second direction opposite the first direction; and a surgical instrument operably connected to the second connection port and having a cutting assembly from which the first flow of air generated by suction is received, the surgical instrument configured to receive a flow of gas from the gas source through the second connection port. The first and second valves are configured to allow a flow of gas through the second connection port to clear obstructions from a cutting assembly of the surgical instrument during operation of the surgical instrument.

According to another aspect, a method of clearing an obstruction from a surgical instrument includes: providing a surgical instrument having a cutting assembly; providing a manifold valve configured to be switchable between a first configuration and a second configuration; providing a solenoid valve connected to the manifold valve; providing a source of pressurized gas coupled to the solenoid valve and configured to flow through the solenoid valve to the manifold valve; and actuating the manifold valve and the solenoid valve to pass the flow through the manifold valve to clear the blockage from the cutting assembly of the surgical instrument.

Drawings

The foregoing aspects and other features of the present invention are explained in the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a drain valve (valve) that may be actuated by a manually operated pressure ball;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the dredge valve of FIG. 1 with the manually operated pressure ball compressed;

FIG. 3 is a side view of a spool (spool) of the dredge valve of FIG. 1 illustrating uneven compression and stretching of the O-ring;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a system incorporating a debrider, a pilot operated dredge valve, and a console;

FIGS. 5A and 5B are cross-sectional views of an exemplary embodiment of a block and bleed valve that may be actuated by compressed gas;

figure 6 is a perspective and partial cross-sectional view of the proposed system of figure 4;

FIG. 7A is a side cross-sectional view of another exemplary embodiment of a dredge valve; and

FIG. 7B is a front cross-sectional view of the dredge valve of FIG. 7A using a butterfly valve instead of a spool.

Detailed Description

Referring to fig. 1 and 2, a production version of the current deoccluder 100 for debriders equipped with suction generally includes a three-way, two-position valve 110 operated by a pressure ball 120. When the pressure bulb 120 is not operating, suction is applied to the debrider through suction line 130, as shown in figure 1. Referring to fig. 2, the pressure ball 120 is operated by manual squeezing by a user (such as a surgeon), a deoccluding function is initiated by displacing the valve spool 140 from the "home" position to close the suction line 130 and direct air pressure from the pressure ball 120 to the debrider, in order to sweep the obstruction through a window on the blades of the debrider. Once the air pressure is released, the spool 140 is returned to the original position by the compression spring 150. This configuration is used to remove tissue that is obstructing the debrider or is located in a suction line extending from the debrider. Thus, the debrider is cleaned or "unclogged" during use.

Current spool type designs typically employ an angled or sloped O-ring 160 positioned circumferentially around the spool 140. Movement of the valve spool 140 may result in uneven compression of the O-ring 160 about the seal, which may result in higher tolerance requirements and the use of excess lubricant (such as grease) to assist the seal.

Referring to FIG. 3, the uneven compression of the O-ring 160 is shown at 300. In dynamic applications of the pull through 100 utilizing the valve cartridge 140, the diameter of the O-ring 160 preferably does not stretch more than 5%. As shown, the diagonal design stretches the diameter of each O-ring by more than 11% since the effective perimeter of the spool 140 is larger than the O-ring 160. This results in a reduction in the cross-sectional area of the O-ring 160 and further deforms the O-ring 160 into an oval shape, resulting in an irregular cross-section when viewing the O-ring 160 along the housing bore. Furthermore, in dynamic applications, the O-ring 160 should be compressed by at least 10% -15%. As shown, each O-ring 160 is compressed by up to 3%. Further, in the embodiments described herein, the O-ring 160 works best at higher pressures (e.g., pressures from about 100 pounds per square inch (psi) to about 3000 psi) to compress the gland 162 formed by the groove in which the O-ring in the spool 140 is located and the inner diameter of the bore wall in which the spool 140 translates to effectively seal. Current applications utilizing pressure ball 120 may operate at about 25psi and may experience negative pressure due to suction, which makes the ability to provide a seal less effective. When the O-ring 160 is unevenly compressed, a higher squeeze force on the pressure ball 120 may be required to actuate the valve cartridge 140, and if the valve is not operated for a long period of time without any actuation, the deoccluder 100 may require a higher squeeze pressure to simply begin the O-ring 160 to dynamically "break away" from the seal. This phenomenon is known as "stiction," which is a frictional force that tends to prevent a stationary surface from being set in motion.

One proposed solution may eliminate manual operation of squeezing the pressure ball 120 by eliminating the pressure ball 120 itself. Referring to fig. 4, an exemplary embodiment of a system 400 is shown, the system 400 incorporating a debrider 410 (the debrider 410 having a blade 415 with a window), a three-way, two-position, bypass valve 420, and a console 425. The system 400 may be used in conjunction with a method of clearing an obstruction (such as debrided tissue) from a debrider 410 (or other surgical instrument). The relief valve 420 may be pilot operated, e.g., pneumatically actuated remotely.

In the system 400, the console 425 includes a bottle 430 with pressurized gas, a pressure regulator 435, and a solenoid-operated three-way, two-position valve 440 (hereinafter "solenoid valve 440"). Bottle 430 provides medical grade CO₂(or another gas, such as nitrogen, nitrous oxide, or air) that is regulated by a pressure regulator 435 operating at a predetermined pressure setting to provide a more consistent application of gas for the deoccluding process. The bottle 430, which may be disposable, is mounted in the console 425 by any suitable means, such as a threaded screw, and is replaced whenever the bottle pressure drops below a minimum level. The pressure regulator 435 and solenoid valve 440 are fixedly located inside the console 425 as part of the unit apparatus. The connection of pull-through line 480 to pull-through valve 420 and console 425 may be made using a push-on connector or the like. Debrider 410 may also be connected to dredge valve 420 through equipment line 475 using a push-in connector.

Using CO from bottles₂The user operated unclogging function is performed by a unclogging valve 420, which unclogging valve 420 is coupled to a suction line 445, which suction line 445 ends in a suction canister 450 and a pump 455, similar to systems employing existing unclogging devices. However, in system 400, the weight of the pressure ball is reduced due to its removal.

In a method of clearing obstructions (unclogging) using system 400, solenoid valve 440 receives an electrical signal, either hard-wired or wirelessly, through a push-button switch located in a hand piece or at a foot switch associated with debrider 410 and operated as desired by the user. The compressed CO from the bottle 430 is then passed through the solenoid valve 440₂The pulse of gas is metered and delivered to the deoccluding valve 420. Any or all of the debrider 410, deoccluding valve 420, and solenoid valve 440 may be associated with a controller having a processor and a memory, the memory including software. The operation of the solenoid valve 440 and the deoccluding valve 420 may be controlled using a controller. The solenoid valve 440 may have a manual override if the user desires to not use the controller to control it.

Referring to fig. 5A and 5B, in an exemplary embodiment, the method may be as followsThe relief valve 420 is modified from the previous design to compensate for the angle or inclination of the O-ring. The dredge valve 420 includes a housing 505 having a substantially cylindrical configuration. In the pull through valve 420, the O-ring 500 is located on a spool 510 configured to be displaced in a bore 515 formed longitudinally in the housing 505 and forming a manifold, the spool 510 being biased from one end in the bore 515 by a spring 520 or the like, the O-ring 500 being substantially transverse to the direction of travel of the spool 510 in order to avoid deformation of the O-ring 500. Further, instead of a pressure ball, a solenoid valve is actuated, the deoccluding valve 420 is coupled at one end of the housing 505 to the deoccluding line 480 from the solenoid valve 440 to receive the compressed CO₂A gas. The appropriate pressure and timing for the opening and closing of the solenoid valve 440 may be used to determine the optimal efficiency setting to ensure that the unclogging function will clear the most difficult blockage encountered by the debrider 410.

As shown in fig. 5A, the valve spool 510 includes a cross bore 530 extending therethrough, the cross bore 530 extending across the valve spool 510 and being angled relative to the side of the valve spool 510 such that when the spring 520 biases the valve spool 510 to open or turn on suction (the valve spool 510 is in the "home" position), the suction line 445 coupled to one side of the housing 505 is offset from the utility line 475 coupled to the opposite side of the housing 505 from the dredge valve 420.

As shown in fig. 5B, upon actuation of the solenoid valve 440 to release compressed CO from the bottle 430₂When, the spool 510 translates through the aperture 515 and the spring 520 is compressed. In doing so, the valve cartridge 510 closes the suction line 445 and extends beyond the opening of the equipment line 475 that extends to the debrider 410 a sufficient distance so that the CO₂May flow through the equipment line 475 and to the debrider 410 to clear obstructions. The coupling of the deocclusion line 480 from the solenoid valve 440 to the end of the housing 505, the coupling of the suction line 445 to one side of the housing 505, and the coupling of the equipment line 475 to the opposite side of the housing 505 provide three openings to define the "three-way" state of the deocclusion valve 420, and the "home" and extended positions of the valve spool 510 define the "two-position" state of the deocclusion valve 420. An air pressure booster or amplifier may also be incorporated into the deoccluding valve 420 to translate the valve spool 510.

Referring to fig. 6, an exemplary configuration of system 400 is depicted showing the relative positions of debrider 410, deoccluding valve 420, and console 425. As can be seen, debrider 410 includes a handle 600, with a switch 610 mounted on handle 600 that is configured to operate the dredge valve 420. The drain valve 420 may also or alternatively be operated by a foot switch 620 operatively coupled to the console 425. The front end of the dredge valve 420 is located at the end of a device line 475 extending from the debrider, which device line 475 may be flexible. The rear end of the dredge valve 420 is coupled to the suction line 445 and also to the solenoid valve 440 in the console 425 via a dredge line 480. An irrigation line 630 may extend from an irrigation source 640, along a suction line 445 and a deocclusion line 480, around the deocclusion valve 420 and to the debrider 410. A peristaltic pump 650 may be located in irrigation line 630 to pump irrigation fluid (such as saline) to debrider 410. Power cord 660 may also extend to debrider 410. The bottle 430 may be coupled to the pressure regulator 435 in the console 425 through a check valve 670.

Referring now to fig. 7A and 7B, another exemplary embodiment of a dredge valve is shown generally at 700. The dredge valve 700 includes a body 710, the body 710 having a manifold defined by a Y-shaped bore 720 extending therethrough, the manifold having an opening at a front end that is attachable to an equipment line 475 (which may be coupled to a debrider) and two openings at a rear end, one opening at the rear end being attachable to a suction line 445 and the other opening at the rear end being attachable to a dredge line 480. The pull through line 480 is coupled to a bottle (such as CO)₂Source) and a control console for the solenoid valve. A spring-loaded flapper valve 750 is located in the body 710 and between two openings at the rear end. The spring-loaded flapper valve 750 is biased to close the opening at the rear end coupled to the pull through line 480, allowing suction to be maintained in the equipment line 475.

The user operates the dredge valve 700 to clear the blockage by activating a solenoid valve in the console, which causes gas to flow from the bottle, pressurizing the dredge line 480 and opening the spring-loaded flapper valve 750 and pushing it against the wall of the bore 720, thereby closing the suction line 445. Upon release of the mechanism that triggers the solenoid valve, gas flow from the bottle is stopped, the pull-through line 480 is depressurized, and the spring-loaded flapper valve 750 is allowed to return to its biased position, thereby closing the opening at the rear end that is coupled to the pull-through line 480.

Further description of various non-limiting exemplary embodiments is provided below. The exemplary embodiments described below may be practiced in conjunction with one or more other aspects or exemplary embodiments. That is, exemplary embodiments of the invention (e.g., those described below) may be implemented, practiced or utilized in any combination (e.g., any combination that is suitable, practicable and/or feasible) and are not limited to only those combinations described herein and/or included in the appended claims.

In one exemplary embodiment, a medical device includes a first valve and a second valve. The first valve includes a manifold having a first opening, a second opening, and a third opening, and an element movable within the manifold and biased by a spring to close the first opening. When biased to close the first opening, air flows from the second opening to the third opening. The second valve is configured to provide a flow of pressurized gas to the first valve to move the element to close the third opening. The first and second valve mechanisms are configured to interrupt the flow of air from the second opening to the third opening and allow the flow of pressurized gas to exit the second opening when the element is moved to close the third opening.

The air flow from the second opening to the third opening may be an air flow from a cutting assembly of the surgical device due to suction at the third opening. The flow of pressurized gas to the first valve to move the element to close the third opening may be further directed to a cutting assembly of the surgical device to sweep an obstruction in the surgical device. The pressurized gas flow to the first valve may be from CO₂And (7) a bottle. In some embodiments, the element that is movable within the manifold may be a spool that is slidable within a bore. The spool may include at least one O-ring transverse to a direction of travel of the spool. The flow of pressurized gas to the first valve may be at least 100 pounds per square inch. In other embodiments, the element movable within the manifold may be a baffle.

In another exemplary embodiment, a medical system includes: a first valve configured to allow a first flow of air to be generated in a first direction and to selectively allow a second flow of gas to be generated in a second direction; a console including a second valve operatively connected to the first valve and configured to provide a second flow of gas in a second direction; and a surgical instrument operably connected to the first valve and having a cutting assembly from which the first flow of air is received, the surgical instrument configured to receive the second flow of gas in a second direction. The first and second valves are configured to allow a second flow of gas in a second direction to clear obstructions from a cutting assembly of the surgical instrument during operation of the surgical instrument.

The first air flow in the first direction may be from suction applied to the first valve. In some embodiments, the first valve may include a spool slidable in the bore, wherein when the spool is in a first position, a first flow of air is allowed to be generated, and wherein when the spool is moved to a second position, a second flow of gas is allowed to be generated. The valve spool may be sealed to a wall defining the bore using at least one O-ring and may slide in the bore. The second gas flow in the second direction may be from a compressed gas source. The compressed gas source may be CO₂And (7) a bottle. The source of compressed gas may be at least 100 pounds per square inch. In other embodiments, the first valve may include a flapper movable in the bore, wherein when the flapper is in a first position, a first flow of air is allowed to be generated, and wherein when the flapper is moved to a second position, a second flow of gas is allowed to be generated.

In another exemplary embodiment, a medical system includes: a first valve having a first connection port, a second connection port, and a third connection port, wherein the second connection port and the third connection port are configured to allow a flow of air to be generated by suction in a first direction; a console having a second valve operatively connected to the first connection port, a pressure regulator connected to the second valve, and a gas source connected to the pressure regulator, wherein the console is configured to allow gas to flow from the gas source through the first connection port to the second connection port in a second direction opposite the first direction; and a surgical instrument operably connected to the second connection port and having a cutting assembly from which the first flow of air is received by suction, the surgical instrument configured to receive a flow of gas from the gas source through the second connection port. The first and second valves are configured to allow a flow of gas through the second connection port to clear obstructions from a cutting assembly of the surgical instrument during operation of the surgical instrument.

In some embodiments, the first valve may include a spool slidable in the bore, wherein when the spool is in a first position, air flow is allowed to be generated by suction in a first direction, and wherein when the spool is moved to a second position, gas is allowed to flow from the gas source to the second connection port in a second direction. The valve spool may be sealed to a wall defining the bore using at least one O-ring and may slide in the bore. The gas source may be at least 100 pounds per square inch of compressed gas. The gas source may be compressed CO₂. In other embodiments, the first valve may comprise a flap movable in the bore, wherein when the flap is in a first position, air flow by suction is allowed to be generated in a first direction, and wherein when the flap is moved to a second position, gas is allowed to flow in a second direction to the second connection port.

In another exemplary embodiment, a method of clearing an obstruction from a surgical instrument includes: providing a surgical instrument having a cutting assembly; providing a manifold valve configured to be switchable between a first configuration and a second configuration; providing a solenoid valve coupled to the manifold valve; providing a source of pressurized gas coupled to the solenoid valve and configured to flow through the solenoid valve to the manifold valve; and actuating the manifold valve and the solenoid valve to pass the flow through the manifold valve to clear the blockage from the cutting assembly of the surgical instrument.

Actuating the manifold valve may include applying compressed gas to switch the manifold valve from a first configuration, in which air is drawn along a second configurationOne direction flows from the cutting assembly and in a second configuration, pressurized gas flows to the cutting assembly in a second direction opposite the first direction to clear the blockage. The compressed gas source may be CO₂And (7) a bottle. The pressurized gas may be at least about 100 pounds per square inch.

It should be understood that the above description is only illustrative of the present invention. Various alternatives and modifications can be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variances which fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A medical device, the medical device comprising:

a first valve, the first valve comprising:

a manifold having a first opening, a second opening, and a third opening; and

an element movable within the manifold and biased by a spring to close the first opening, wherein air flows from the second opening to the third opening when the element is biased to close the first opening; and

a second valve configured to provide a flow of pressurized gas to the first valve to move the element to close the third opening,

wherein the first and second valves are configured to interrupt a flow of air from the second opening to the third opening and allow the flow of pressurized gas to exit the second opening when the element is moved to close the third opening.

2. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the flow of air from the second opening to the third opening is a flow of air induced from a cutting assembly of a surgical device by suction at the third opening.

3. The medical device of claim 2, wherein the flow of pressurized gas to the first valve to move the element to close the third opening is also directed to a cutting assembly of the surgical device to sweep an obstruction in the surgical device.

4. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the pressurized gas flow to the first valve is from CO₂And (7) a bottle.

5. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the element movable within the manifold is a spool slidable within a bore.

6. The medical device of claim 5, wherein the poppet includes at least one O-ring transverse to a direction of travel of the poppet.

7. The medical device of claim 6, wherein the flow of pressurized gas to the first valve is at least 100 pounds per square inch.

8. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the element movable within the manifold is a baffle.

9. A medical system, the medical system comprising:

a first valve configured to allow a first flow of air to be generated in a first direction and to selectively allow a second flow of gas to be generated in the second direction;

a console including a second valve operably connected to the first valve and configured to provide the second flow of gas in the second direction; and

a surgical instrument operably connected to the first valve and having a cutting assembly from which the first flow of air is received, the surgical instrument configured to receive the second flow of gas along the second direction,

wherein the first and second valves are configured to allow the second flow of gas to be generated in the second direction during operation of the surgical instrument to clear obstructions from a cutting assembly of the surgical instrument.

10. The medical system of claim 9, wherein the first air flow in the first direction is generated from suction applied to the first valve.

11. The medical system of claim 9, wherein the first valve includes a spool slidable in a bore, wherein the spool allows the first flow of air to be generated when in a first position, and wherein the spool allows the second flow of gas to be generated when moved to a second position.

12. The medical system of claim 11, wherein the valve spool is sealed to a wall defining the bore and is slidable in the bore using at least one O-ring.

13. The medical system of claim 12, wherein the second flow of gas in the second direction is generated from a source of compressed gas.

14. The medical system of claim 13, wherein the compressed gas source is CO₂And (7) a bottle.

15. The medical system of claim 13, wherein the source of compressed gas is at least 100 pounds per square inch.

16. The medical system of claim 9, wherein the first valve comprises a baffle movable in an aperture, wherein the baffle allows the first flow of air to be generated when the baffle is in a first position, and wherein the baffle allows the second flow of gas to be generated when the baffle is moved to a second position.

17. A method of clearing an obstruction from a surgical instrument, the method comprising:

providing the surgical instrument with a cutting assembly;

providing a manifold valve configured to be switchable between a first configuration and a second configuration;

providing a solenoid valve coupled to the manifold valve;

providing a source of pressurized gas coupled to the solenoid valve and configured to flow through the solenoid valve to the manifold valve; and

actuating the manifold valve and the solenoid valve to pass the flow through the manifold valve to clear an obstruction from the cutting assembly of the surgical instrument.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein actuating the manifold valve comprises: applying the pressurized gas to switch the manifold valve from a first configuration in which air flows from the cutting assembly by suction in a first direction to a second configuration in which the pressurized gas flows to the cutting assembly in a second direction opposite the first direction to clear the obstruction.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the compressed gas source is CO₂And (7) a bottle.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein the pressurized gas is at least about 100 pounds per square inch.